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🚇 MORE WAYS TO SAVE SEPTA
If we don't act now to address SEPTA's funding crisis, SEPTA is planning to slash service by 45%, hike fares, and eliminate 50 bus routes and 5 regional rail lines.
We need your help to stop this!
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee, organizing and advocating for better transportation, land use, and public space policies. Our work is made possible through the support of over 400 members donating anywhere from $5 to $25 a month.
🚇 MORE WAYS TO SAVE SEPTA
If we don't act now to address SEPTA's funding crisis, SEPTA is planning to slash service by 45%, hike fares, and eliminate 50 bus routes and 5 regional rail lines.
We need your help to stop this!
What can you do?
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VOLUNTEER with us to talk to riders
Join us as we talk to riders throughout Philly and the surrounding counties and ask them to tell their State Senators & Representatives how much transit means to them and their livelihood.
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DONATE to help us cover the costs of rider outreach
We need materials to support our volunteers on the ground. Every contribution helps us reach more riders and amplify our message with printed flyers & posters, postcards to elected officials, and transit fare for volunteers. -
CONTACT your elected officials
Email your legislators using Transit for All PA's tool--it's easy and takes less than a minute!
SaveSepta.com is a great new grassroots site for you to directly Email legislators.
PA House Democrats has a form letter directly to Senate Republicans.
SEPTA itself also has a form you can use now. -
ATTEND SEPTA meetings (in person or online) to give public comment
Operating Budget Hearing #1 (May 19, 11am and 5pm)
Operating Budget Hearing #2 (May 20, 10am and 4pm)
Capital Budget Hearing (May 21, 10am and 4pm)
RSVP with us an we will link you with other 5th Square volunteers attending!
đź“… MAY MEETUP
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers on Thursday, May 22nd for an informal, in-person meet-up over at Resurrection Philadelphia’s Annex! This is an indoor/outdoor, family-friendly event. Light refreshments, pizza, and beer will be served.
At this meetup we will be welcoming staff from the offices of Councilmembers Gauthier & O'Rourke who will speak on City SEPTA Funding and advocacy around the Zero Fare Program.
5th Square May Meetup
May 22, 6:00pm – 8pm
Resurrection Philadelphia’s Annex
401 S 42nd St
🗳️ OUR ELECTION RECOMMENDATION
There's a primary election coming up on 5/20 and our election center is up and running!
Our Steering Committee recommends voting YES on Question 2.
The Steering Committee supports the ballot question which would dedicate more funds from in-lieu fees, which developers pay for density bonuses, to new affordable homes, the preservation and repair of existing homes, and homelessness prevention. Budget officials estimate that this would dedicate an additional $25 million to the Housing Trust Fund over the next five years.
Voter registration is now closed, but mail-in ballot applications are still open until 5/13 at 5pm!
📸🚍 AUTOMATED BUS LANE ENFORCEMENT STARTS TOMORROW
Get ready for faster buses!
Starting tomorrow, SEPTA is activating cameras on buses for automated enforcement of bus lanes and bus stops. Tomorrow's rollout follows a three week warning period where illegally parked drivers received warnings in the mail.
In addition to speeding up buses, improved bus lane and stop enforcement makes it safer for passengers getting on and off buses, and improves accessibility by ensuring step-free boarding directly from curb to bus.
We've long fought for bus lanes and automated enforcement, so we're thrilled to see it finally roll out!
🗞️ 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
34th Street Magazine:Â
“All of us will rise or sink together on this issue,” says Alex Milone, the transit committee co–chair of 5th Square, one of Philadelphia’s leading pro–urbanist political action groups. Shapiro’s proposed budget is very moderate, he explains, and would only solve SEPTA’s short–term financial crisis. This budget is used to pay the drivers, the operators, the maintenance staff, and so on. However, infrastructure like rail maintenance or rental from Amtrak is paid for by the capital budget, which wouldn’t be covered by the proposal. “It's basically kicking the can down the road,” Milone says.
“For 5th Square, Indy Hall has been a game-changer,” said Will Tung, a steering committee member of the transit-focused grassroots group. “We were struggling for a space to hold meetings and events — we finally graduated from using coffee shops and beer gardens into a home of our own.”
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
đźš« Grays Ferry Is Not a Parking Lot
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proposing a 1,000-vehicle parking garage at 30th and Grays Ferry Avenue. This garage would be over 70 feet tall, reserved for employees, and would require a separate shuttle service. Sign our petition telling CHOP: Don't Treat Grays Ferry as a Parking Lot
✍️ DVRPC Vision Zero Survey
DVRPC wants to hear from you! DVRPC and its partners are developing a Regional Vision Zero (RVZ) plan to make roadways safer for all users. Click here to log your safety concern on the map.
🏛️ SURVEYS for Public Space, Bike Lanes & Trolleys
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The Chinatown Stitch project has a survey to gather community and public feedback on capping a portion of the Vine Street Expressway. SURVEY LINK
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The City of Philadelphia is looking to make roadway improvements to Market St, JFK Boulevard, and 20th St. SURVEY LINK
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SEPTA is modernizing trolleys, staring with T5 (route 36) SURVEY LINK
🗳️ Get Ready for the Primary Election
There's an election coming up on 5/20 and mail-in ballot applications are open until 5/13 at 5pm!.
🛣️ Stop I-95 Expansion
PennDOT is planning to expand I-95 in Center City and South Philly by adding lanes and new ramps. This will threaten the well-being of our neighborhoods by worsening air quality, increasing noise pollution, harming our access to the waterfront, and destroying sports facilities. To make matters worse, PennDOT has been deceitful about its engagement efforts.
Join us in telling PennDOT that highway expansion has no place in the core of Philadelphia by signing our petition.
EVENTS
Explore the Audubon Loop Trail
Saturday, May 10th • 1:00 pm | John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove
Join the Bicycle Coalition on World Migratory Bird Day for a presentation on birds and the latest trail expansion plans, followed by a biking tour of the Audubon Loop Trail and the Perkiomen Trail.
Smart & Sustainable Mobility Showcase with Québec, SEPTA, and the City of Philadelphia
Tuesday, May 13 · 9am - 3pm | Navy Yard, 4747 S Broad St #Building 101
The Québec’s government office in New York, SEPTA, and the City of Philadelphia are partnering on this event which will host more than 20 companies from Québec who will showcase the latest innovations in transportation and equipment.
Castor Avenue Traffic Safety and Beautification Project
Wednesday, May 14th, 4pm Open House, 5pm Town Hall | Northeast High Cafeteria, 1601 Cottman Ave
PennDOT, the City of Philadelphia, and SEPTA are hosting an open house and town hall about their plans for safety improvements along Castor Avenue from Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue. Road safety opponents are trying to stop these changes so we need advocates to push back and fight for safer streets.
PA Safe Roads PAC Spring Friend/Fund Raiser
Thursday, May 15th from 5–7pm | Center City (address upon registering)
Join road safety advocates for a Spring Friend/Fund Raiser. Come and learn about PA SAFE ROADS PAC and their legislative agenda including the continued expansion of speed safety cameras in Philadelphia (Broad Street later this year!) and their efforts to make parking protected bike lanes legal on PennDOT roads.
Schuylkill River Trail Christian to Crescent Opening Day Celebration
Saturday, May 17 from 10:30am to 2:30pm | Plaza on SRT near Christian St
The Schuylkill River Trail's connection between Christian Street and Grays Ferry Crescent is finally opening! Join the opening day celebration for the SRT's newest segment.
21st Annual Ride of Silence
Wednesday, May 21st, 6:45 PM | North apron of City Hall
This year's Ride of Silence will honor the eight cyclists killed over the past year with a ceremony followed by a slow ride around the city in complete silence.
5th Square May Meetup
May 22, 6:00pm – 8pm | Resurrection Philadelphia’s Annex, 401 S 42nd StÂ
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up! This is an indoor/outdoor, family-friendly event. These meet-ups are casual social gatherings, and are intended as a fun way for new and existing supporters to connect with other people involved with 5th Square and urbanist issues in Philadelphia.
Design Advocacy Group:Â One-on-One with Angela Brooks
Wednesday, May 28 · 5:30 - 7pm | 1218 Arch Street
Join DAG as they host Angela Brooks, Philadelphia's new Chief Housing & Urban Development Officer and Immediate Past President of the American Planning Association (APA), for a one-on-one conversation that will touch on issues related to affordable and accessible housing and community development.
PBA Citywide Meeting - with Rich Lazer (PPA)
June 2 @ 6:30-8:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Sq
Join Philly Bike Action for their monthly citywide meeting with PPA Director Richard Lazer on new safety and mobility projects.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
đźš´ MOBILITY
🏛️ POLITICS
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Inquirer.com /
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Montgomery County /Â Business Analyst/Project Manager
SEPTA /Â
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission / Director of Regional Planning
City of Philadelphia
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee.
We're an all-volunteer grassroots organization advocating for safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing, and more and better public spaces. You’re receiving this email if you signed up via our website, attended one of our events, or supported one of our advocacy campaigns.Â
Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5 or more.